Three persons, who allegedly kidnapped Rolland Clottey, at Ablekuma-Joma, in the Greater Accra Region, have been remanded in police custody by the Accra Circuit Court.
Kwabena Awere, a 39-year-old trader, Emmanuel Nyarko Boadi, a 37-year-old mason, and Nurudeen Adams, 33-year-old farmer, were charged with robbery and kidnapping.
Adams is facing additional charge of abetment of crime to wit kidnapping. All the accused pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
Mr Akwasi Owusu, counsel for accused, prayed the court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, for bail for accused.
The lawyer said that his clients had a fixed place of abode, people of substance to stand as sureties for them, not fright risk and would not interfere with police investigation.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Oppong, prosecuting, opposed the bail application because the case was still under investigation.
The prosecution said that if accused were granted bail, they would hinder police investigations, and prayed the court to remand them for further investigations.
The court remanded accused in police custody to reappear on February 13, 2023.
ASP Oppong said that the complainant, Roland Clottey, resided at Ablekuma-Joma whereas accused and others at large, were also residents of the same community.
The prosecution said on July 27, 2021, the complainant took his children to school at Joma CP, a suburb of Accra, on his unregistered 125 Royal motorcycle.
ASP Oppong said on his way home, complainant decided to service the exhaust pipe of his motor cycle at a fitting shop.
The court heard that Awere, Boadi and four others, now at large, also went to the fitting shop, with two vehicles and two motorcycles.
The prosecution said Awere, Boadi and others, beat complainant, accusing him of destroying a banner.
ASP Oppong said accused put complainant and his motorcycle into Awere’s car and drove to the ranch of Adams, their leader, at Joma.
The court heard that Adams ordered Awere, Boadi and their accomplices to seize the complainant’s ltel and Tecno mobile phones, and subject him to more beatings.
ASP Oppong said accused also made the complainant carry a log on his shoulders and videoed the scene.
The court heard that accused and their accomplices also tied the complainant against an electric pole and demanded a ransom of GH¢2000.00.
ASP Oppong said the complainant’s brothers, witnesses in the case, attempted to free Clottey, but accused and their accomplices attacked the rescuers and seized their motorcycles.
The prosecution said, one Moses and Teiko paid GH¢1,000 before the complainant was released.
ASP Oppong said the complainant reported the case to the police and presented a video footage in which Boadi was captured attacking the victim.
The prosecution said Adams, Awere and Boadi were arrested, and Adams was granted bail, but he jumped bail. —GNA
